At Griffiths, office staff shares desire for higher learning

From left: Evalyn Velazco, Eudy Ojeda, Davina Fernandez, Amy Rodriguez, Vice Principal Vanessa Bedolla, Elizabeth Gallardo, and Principal Anthony Zegarra. (Photo by Alex Dominguez)

DOWNEY – It was Administrative Assistance Day, so naturally Griffiths Principal Dr. Anthony Zegarra and Vice Principal Vanessa Bedolla decided it would be nice to treat their office staff to lunch.

As the group enjoyed their meal and each other’s company, a conversation started.

“We all were kind of talking about how things were going in our lives, how’s the kids, this and that,” said Zegarra. “Everybody started talking about their educational experiences that they’re having…The cool part was everyone was continuing their education outside of work time; everyone had made that decision.”

In fact, every one of the Thunderbird office staff – be it doctorate, masters, bachelors, or some other program – was engaged in an educational endeavor.

It was a decision that all made entirely on their own for their own personal reasons.

“It was just kind of interesting, something unique that I haven’t experienced as a principal, where my entire front office staff was doing that,” said Zegarra. “I thought it was a great attribute to the staff at Griffiths.”

“I’m a big proponent of lifelong learning in any capacity…I think it says a lot about an adult, they’re a full-time professional in their job, that they are going back to school and trying to continue their education to either just enrich themselves or to promote and continue to grow as a professional.

Zegarra says that the work that his staff has decided to embark on allows them to “serve the community better and increase their professionalism.”

“These are the folks that when you call Griffiths, it’s the first person you speak to,” said Zegarra. “The level of professionalism that is displayed is definitely due to that desire to continue to grow as a person.”

It’s a feature of his staff that Zegarra is not shy to brag about.

“I’m so proud of every one of them,” said Zegarra. “The quality of individuals that we have working here is a 10 out of 10, and the fact that they’re taking these steps and stretching themselves means so much to me.”

“I’m just so proud that they all are doing this for themselves, and that it’s important to them too. There’s a lot of like-mindedness here in terms of lifelong learning.”